The Brains group

The casper fund

A percentage of the money raised is deposited into The Casper Fund. The Casper Fund is designated for families identified as having financial difficulties whether due to lack of health insurance or long hospital stays.

The Casper fund has been named in memory of Rik Casper who lost his nine year battle to a brain tumor in 2007.

The Brains Group is a committee of dedicated volunteers whose mission is to create as well as locate sources of funding for BRAINS. The group will then administrate these funds in such a way as to maximize the foundation's potential for aiding in the areas of research and support. The Brains Group was founded by Lori Rehac McMann and is located in Western New York.

If you would like to volunteer to help us, please contact us!

Our impact

Work with members in your community and make a difference

The mission of BRAINS is to contribute to the understanding and cure of pediatric brain tumors by providing research funds to support multidisciplinary, innovative studies with designs and analyses based on uniformly high quality statistical science. While the primary mission of BRAINS is to identify through laboratory and clinical science, evidence-based treatment strategies for children with brain tumors, we also recognize the need to meet the special needs of the children and families as they face this enormous challenge.

Our 10th Annual BRAINSTORM Fundraiseris scheduled for May 4 at the Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Rd, Buffalo New York starting at 6:30PM.

The majority of our funds for the year are generated at this event.

The evening includes dinner, beer and soft drinks, live music, jugglers, a theme baskets, large item and Handmade Quilt raffles.

Since 2009, The Brains Group has donated $73,500, to the University at Buffalo Department of Neurosurgery, for pediatric brain tumor research. This money is earmarked by the department, in a special account, to fund research on new drug treatments, techniques, equipment, and/or protocol aimed at curing pediatric brain tumors and/or improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

Through the Casper Fund, we have helped many WNY Families, identified by the Neuro-Oncology Team, who are facing financial hardship due to a child's diagnosis with prolonged hospital stays and expenses. So far $13,400 has been granted.

The BRAINS fund was established to raise money for much needed research in the area of pediatric brain tumors. Funds stay here in WNY.